F1KLI1 MEETINGS FOR 1914 1 75 



manner admirably adapted for binding together the whole 

 foundation, correcting eccentric stresses, and dispersing the 

 weight uniformly over the soft deposit of alluvium below. 

 Standing about a quarter of a mile from the bridge, one 

 obtains an admirable view of the structure, which is graceful 

 in the extreme, spanning the Dene with thirteen arches at a 

 maximum height of some 150 feet from rail level to the bed 

 of the Gill. 



A short stroll from the Viaduct brought us to the Caves, 

 which are really old quarries worked from the face, but which 

 in their decay and rustic setting, have all the beauty of natural 

 caves. Down in the depths of the Gill there was a noticeable 

 change in temperature from the highlands above, and this, 

 due to the shelter afforded by the winding banks, partly 

 explains the profusion of wild plants for which the Gill is 

 famous. In parts it is a veritable garden, the marshy bed 

 luxuriant with a multitude of tall grasses, meadowsweet and 

 ragged-robin ; the hidden runner silvered with the white 

 blooms of cress and bedstraw ; the broader stream tinkling 

 over a gravel bed with the bright yellow mimulus nodding on 

 its half dry margin : all enfolded and sheltered by the high 

 wooded slopes of the Dene. 



Gradually as we emerged from the deep-cleft Dene into 

 the gentle wealds of more open country, we were able to 

 appreciate Mr. Watts' description of the ancient river, the now 

 dry bed of which was easily discernible. Hereabouts was 

 plenty to engage the attention of the botanist, from the sub- 

 stantial rich blooms of the marsh cinquefoil in the hollows, to 

 the delicate flowers of cow-wheat on the banks. The pro- 

 ceedings were enlivened by a spice of adventure, for the 

 regular foot tracks were obliterated by the luxuriant greenery ; 

 and it was not without sundry wadings through marsh and 

 leapings over streams, that we were able finally to recover the 

 beaten track of the ordinary pedestrian. 



In the meadows, a pleasant diversion was afforded by the 

 tracking of one or two redstarts among the thorns, while one 



